January 25, 2024

Dear Parents,

Happy Thursday! Now I will say missing Tuesday made this week go quickly! I am writing to you already. There is a lot of information to get in this blog today. I will be taking half a personal day tomorrow afternoon. If all the staff stays healthy anyway. I know that things might change if we need our substitute somewhere else in the building. My daughter Josie and her husband Tate bought me tickets to see Mamma Mia at the Civic Center with them Friday night. I saw the show 9 years ago when it was there with Ms. Surma. I am a huge fan! I am very happy to see it again. I absolutely love the music! I will be packing for the weekend and heading to their house by 2:00 tomorrow. If I work the whole day I end up not getting there until about 5 and that cuts it a little short for dinner and then the show. I am very excited!

Language Arts

We are still working on the story of the Beatles. (Thanks to all the snow days) We are rereading the story for the 3rd time now. We are taking a closer look at the figurative language that is used in the story. We will finish reading the story tomorrow and take the selection test. Monday they will take their spelling post test and the end of the week test. Then we can finally move onto another story! This has been a fun story to incorporate music into and I think they have had fun with it but I feel like we have had to drag it out.

Math

The students have finished their math test over Topic 3 today. Tomorrow they will correct their tests and begin work on Topic 4. This topic will be over double-digit multiplication. It is harder yes, but because we just covered single-digit they will catch on easily. We will use the same strategies, partial product, area model, and standard algorithm. This is when they really feel like "big kids". This is fun for me to watch them grow. They may need to come into school in the mornings for help if they are struggling. I know some of you don't understand the first couple of strategies. That's okay, I will help.

Social Studies

We finished up the last lesson in the chapter today. They will begin a study guide on Monday. We will check it Tuesday and the test will be on Thursday. I know it is Catholic Schools Week but work must go on. This test would not have fallen this week if it weren't for snow days. (UGH!) We will then move on to the next chapter which will also be over the Southeast States.

Catholic Schools Week Activities

Monday Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day Bring a sack lunch (milk is provided) Students will eat with their Advent Angels, have short recess with them and then watch a movie with them. Parents will be in the building supervising kids while the teacher enjoy a lunch at the Pizza Ranch provided by the PTO

Tuesday Vocation Appreciation Day We will have a Religious Station Rotation with our Advent Angels that day in the afternoon. Should be lots of fun!

Wednesday Community Appreciation Day Lunch with Police, Fire, and Healthcare workers. Also we will write thank you notes in the afternoon.

Thursday Student Appreciation Day Cookies for students donated by Subway and Putt Putt Golf in the gym.

Friday Grandparents/Special Guest Day We end the week with Mass at the church. Grandparents pick up your students in the pick up line starting at 1:00 PM

Catholic Schools Week Dress-Up days

The Dress-Up days are as follows for Catholic Schools Week. I hope to see all students participate in the fun. I will post pictures everyday so you can see the fun ideas.

Monday STM Spirit Day Wear any STM gear or blue and gold colors

Tuesday Favorite Saint or Bible Character

Wednesday Career Day Dress up in any career you might want to be

Thursday Socks, Crocs, and Birkenstocks

Friday Black Tie Dress-Up Day

Catholic Schools Week Kick- Off Mass

This mass is this Sunday the 28th at Holy Spirit Church. I have a few people in the room that have a part in this mass and need to be at the church at 8:30. Those people are Norah Wagner (server), Ali Luther (Petitions), Ava West (Offertory), Graham Wethor (Offertory), Lydia Higgins (offertory). All students and families are welcome to attend the Mass Sunday.

Valentine's Day

Just a heads up, Valentine's day falls on Ash Wednesday this year so we are celebrating Valentine's day on Friday, February 9th. I just wanted to let you know so you can have your items ready for Friday, not Wednesday.

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I look forward to a great Catholic Schools Week! Besides my Mamma Mia tickets Friday night, Saturday I am getting together with 6 of my high school classmates for the day. We have not done this in more than 25 years! I am looking forward to it very much. Not sure what we have planned for the day but dinner downtown Saturday night for sure. Fun, Fun, Fun!!

God Bless,

Mrs. Sickels